All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3
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Although the injury concerns are in the backs I wonder if Romano might be an option on the bench. S Barrett has been OK but some extra bulk would be useful in what is expected to be a brutual test match.
Where is Squire with his injury? IIRC Hansen said he might be available for the 3rd test. With both locks able to put in an 80 min shift he might provide more impact along with Ardie.
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@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!
Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.
I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.
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@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!
Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.
I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.
WTF? Are you serious? He was up with the best in the world in his era as a 13.
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My thoughts
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Poite is a good ref, he is eccentric around the scrum, though. That is where NZ has actually had dominance, so I'm not worried, it might even work in our favour.
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Pack unchanged. I would give some thought to Fafita ahead of Barrett on the bench, but that is not without risk. I suppose Romano ahead of Barrett is also an option. Would have been great to have Coles available.
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Those suggesting a starting backline involving Laumape (cap 2), Ioane (cap 5), JB (cap 1), ALB (cap 13), I don't think so. Too much risk in a pressure cooker 3rd test. Crotty HAS to be involved if he is fit, we have looked like a sieve on defence at times. Ioane is a great finisher, but his work-rate is currently low, Savea would have been a better option yesterday. Also, those slating Cruden and opting for Sopoaga - he is just as prone to trying crossfield kicks and the like at crucial moments.
Starting pack - unchanged
Starting backs (9-15): Smith, Barrett, Savea, Crotty, ALB, Dagg, JBJust think Dagg is better at 14, can't believe I'm writing that after he was rubbish at 14 at the Crusaders under Blackadder, but has been an inspired move by Hansen.
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If the ABs are going to make a tactical change to the way the backs play, they could go TJP for the start.
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@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
If the ABs are going to make a tactical change to the way the backs play, they could go TJP for the start.
We already have an annoying halfback commentating the game for us in Justin Marshall
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@Nepia said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!
Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.
I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.
WTF? Are you serious? He was up with the best in the world in his era as a 13.
@Nepia said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!
Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.
I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.
WTF? Are you serious? He was up with the best in the world in his era as a 13.
Yep 100% serious. Depth was so bad during his era at 13 that Mark Robinson played tests and we shifted Rangi to 13 in 2003. He was there by default and was no great shakes. Not hard to be "up there with the best in the world in his era" given there was Mortlock and then daylight.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@pakman Dagg or Smith go well at 14...
So did Jane who was mostly a FB previously for the Canes
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@Nepia said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!
Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.
I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.
WTF? Are you serious? He was up with the best in the world in his era as a 13.
yeah i thought he was a warrior in the midfield ,and complimented Mauger very well IMO.
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Can we please not let the 3rd test build up thread descend into a historical tana umaga thread. 3rd test people!
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I'm not really getting all the suggestions we have to revamp the backline to bring in a kicker. BB didn't have the greatest of games but he kicked 21 points yesterday. If all the brilliant finishers in the team had done their jobs, and we weren't a man down we should have scored a couple of 5 pointers and 7 penalties would have been plenty. If we have to rely exclusively on penalties to get us home I'm not sure I can be arsed watching.
Anyway if we're that worried swap out Cruden for Sopoaga, who as well as a boot has the bonus of offering a degree of creativity ad decent pace. The fact he seems to have turned himself into something of a brick shithouse during the past year is kind of reassuring too.
I never thought I'd say this either, but I think we need Romano on the bench as well. S Barrett looks to have some skill but he's very green.
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yeah if the so called kicker isnt in the best run on 15 , I wouldnt pick him either , who ever he is
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If Crotty is going to be considered fit enough to play then he has to start. If his hamstring goes he can be replaced but if he comes off the bench as a replacement and it pops we are really in the shit
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@JC said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:
Oh, and Kaino will be filthy all week too after being made to watch that. I want to see him trying to sing the anthem through a Bane mask while chained up like the Humungous in Mad Max 2. The tell him Sinckler swore at his Mum.
Particularly after he was subbed early in game one after a very minor head knock. Two matches and only ~60mins on the field
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@Wreck-Diver It takes more than 2 weeks for a hamstring to heal. Don't think he will be there.
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I don't expect O'Brien to be sanctioned, but if he is I would expect Gatland to go with Warburton, Stander, Faletau.
The bench will be interesting then.
Do you go with O'Mahoney - is he injured? - or Tipuric?
Or do you have two second rows on the bench, knowing Henderson and Itoje can move to 6?
I'd pair Lawes with Itoje, but Gatland may be reluctant to stand AWJ down.
Looks like Vunipola isn't being cited so I expect the same front row to start.
Whilst I would like to see the 1st Test backline I suspect there will be no changes to the starting 7 or the bench.
The O'Brien decision will be interesting.
